Set On Jesus

Have you ever been in a tight spot - a place where you needed a helping hand, to be rescued? Oh, I have. Mister Bill has been my deliverer many times and I'm sad to say, most of those "tight spots" were of my own foolishness! A good question all Believers should ask themselves is: in whom do we hope? Paul wrote, " For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, Who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10 ESV). To "set our hope" is to have fixed our confidence in something. Mister Bill is pretty handy at rescuing me from myself but he (like all mankind) has limitations. The "living God," however, is all-sufficient to deliver and rescue us from ourselves; yes, when we were dead in our sin, God made us "alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses" (Colossians 2:13 ESV). The key to any rescue - physical and spiritual - is knowing when to ask, to call-out for help. When we "confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 ESV). Once in that "tight spot," there's nothing quite like the realization deliverance has arrived. The Puritan said it like this: "to be low is to be high" - knowing we need rescuing then being rescued! Christ Jesus is The Hope of our eternal salvation both for forgiveness of sin (1 John 1:9), and for deliverance from the enemy who seeks to devour us every day (1 Peter 5:8). Oh, the joy of freedom from the tight spots of life. It's mine and it's yours when our hope is ... set on Jesus.

The Way Up

Do you remember your bike-riding days? I do, and I remember them fondly. Those wheels gave me a sense of independence; I could ride through the community to visit friends and neighbors. One thing I remember is the thoughtful navigation, planning routes that involved as few uphill climbs as possible. Very early in His earthly ministry, Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3 NASB). The Puritan said it like this, "the way down is the way up." What a contrast to worldly advice! Thinking of ourselves as most significant may be the world's way but is in direct opposition of what Jesus teaches. Happy and greatly admired are those who are devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant - the humble ones. Those humble ones will know the kingdom that is to come - that is, when Jesus comes to rule and reign forever - but also right now in these evil and troubled times. Spiritual prosperity belongs to those who have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6), who willingly bow head and heart to God. I can feel the cool breeze in my face as I coasted down those hills on my bike - nothing quite like it. So it is as we make spiritual surrender to God a way of life. Truly, the way down is ... the way up.

God of 'Em All

Several years ago Mister Bill and I had a very secluded get-away. He enjoyed the wildlife while I enjoyed the quiet screened porch. One thing we discovered was how the remoteness of the place made the night sky so much more brilliant! On occasion, we would brave the darkness and ride down the dirt road to an open field; as we looked up into the night sky, it seemed we could almost touch the stars. As I recall those times, I think of this: "Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and th deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine." ("The Valley of Vision Prayer"). When life is good and pleasant, we tend to call-out less to The Lord, sing less of His eternal goodness - if we're honest, we give God less of our time. But when the troubles come, He's the first we think-of, turn-to, call-to. Jesus declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13 ESV). Before there was me ... He WAS. And, after me ... He WILL BE. Oh, how I need evermore reminding that everywhere in-between ... He IS! Indeed, I may see Him in the darker moments, but He is always there - in the bad and the good moments of life. Job said, " For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth." (Job 19:25 ESV). Life for us happens in the in-between moments - full of troubles and sorrows as well as joys and celebrations. Hallelujah and praise to our God Who is ... God of 'em all.

He Restores the Soul

As we are teased with hints of the fall season, do you hear the mountains calling? The vibrant and muted fall colors will soon emerge and many will take-to-the-roads to enjoy their beauty! One of my favorite sights are the valleys between the mountains. Perhaps I'm drawn to them as because we've just come down a steep grade and soon to begin yet another climb. David's words from Psalm 23 resonate with me - "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul" (Verses 2-3a ESV). Our cars are well-equipped for those mountain roads - automatically shifting between low and high gears. Our souls, however ... not so much. We are desperately in need of The Great Shepherd Who knows every struggle of the human soul, the lack of strength and stamina to persevere in the ups and downs of our lives. Arthur Bennett (1915-1994), an English-born minister who studied the work of the Puritans, compiled and published a book of prayers based on Puritan meditations. In his introductory poem, "The Valley of Vision," these words are often my own personal prayer: "Let me learn ... that the way down is the way up - that to be low is to be high - the broken heart is the healed heart - to have nothing is to possess all - to bear the cross is to wear the crown - to give is to receive - that the valley is the place of vision." Those mountain valleys invite me into their peacefulness and serenity, much like The Shepherd welcomes me into His Presence. Are you coming down from a mountainous descent? Is there an intimidating mountain looming ahead of you? Pause. Remember. Take heart. The valley is where ... He restores the soul.

Our Rest

Have you ever been in a spot where you needed an exit strategy - a kind-and-gentle way out? Feelings of frustration can and do overwhelm us at times; the only logical resolution sometimes seems to [as the old wild west saying goes] "get out of Dodge." It's safe to conclude this as David's predicament in Psalm 11: "For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart." (Verse 1 NIV). Even in the smoothest of waters, none of us really know how close to calamity and chaos we really are. Right now, I'm sitting in a quiet place listening to peaceful piano music but [honestly] I'm not feeling the peace I should - the confidence David then speaks of: "The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence He hates with a passion." (Verses 4-5 NIV). You see, the enemy isn't actually a person or a place or a thing; no, the enemy is the fear and doubt of the soul, the failure to rest altogether and completely in these truths: "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!" (Psalm 99:1 ESV) ... "The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as King forever." (Psalm 29:10 ESV) ... "The LORD sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice." (Psalm 9:7 ESV) ... "God sits on His holy throne." (Psalm 47:8 ESV). He is God over all things - yes, even those times when we want an exit, to run and flee "like a bird" (Psalm 11:1). David finishes this psalm, "the LORD is righteous - He loves justice - the upright will see His face" (Verse 7). If we are to live by faith and not by sight (Romans 1:17), we put all thoughts of running aside and trust The One Who remains on His throne and King over all all things. He is ... our rest.